Best Campgrounds near Forest Hill, MD

Campgrounds near Forest Hill, Maryland offer a mix of established facilities in state parks and private recreational areas. Several locations like Elk Neck State Park and Susquehanna State Park provide tent and RV sites, while others such as Merry Meadows Recreation Farm and Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina include cabin camping options. Most campgrounds in the area are situated within a 30-mile radius of Forest Hill, creating a network of mixed-use facilities that serve both overnight campers and extended-stay visitors. The surrounding counties feature waterfront locations along rivers and creeks, as well as more wooded interior sites.

Reservations are strongly recommended at most campgrounds in the region, particularly for weekend stays during the prime season from April through October. Many of the state parks like Codorus and Susquehanna operate on seasonal schedules, typically closing their camping facilities from November through March. Access to most campgrounds requires driving through residential areas or narrow country roads, which can present challenges for large RVs or trailers. The climate typically allows for comfortable camping from spring through fall, with summer highs in the 80s and occasional thunderstorms. According to one visitor at Susquehanna State Park, "There are lots of long scenic hiking trails down to Deer creek and to the Susquehanna River. There's a great bike trail to the Conowingo dam which is a nice place to visit, and a great place to see lots of eagles."

Waterfront sites consistently rank among the most popular camping locations in the region. Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina features premium waterfront spots where, as a camper noted, "sites are literally 10 ft. from the water" with full hookups. Several visitors mentioned the opportunity to fish directly from campsites as a significant draw. Facilities at most campgrounds include modern bathhouses, electric hookups, and dumping stations, though amenities vary by location. Family-oriented recreation areas like Merry Meadows Recreation Farm provide additional activities such as mini-golf and playgrounds. Noise levels remain relatively low at most locations, with the exception of holiday weekends when campgrounds typically reach capacity. Many campgrounds in Pennsylvania's portion of the region allow alcohol, while Maryland state parks generally prohibit it.

Best Camping Sites Near Forest Hill, Maryland (115)

    1. Elk Neck State Park Campground

    60 Reviews
    Perryville, MD
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 287-5333

    $21 - $55 / night

    "I didn't notice it when I was in my tent, but I did as I was walking around.
    The campground is well-wooded, offering reasonable privacy given the space constraints. "

    "Surrounding area
    There are lots of tails for hiking in walking distance and also a playground for kids."

    2. Susquehanna State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Edgewood, MD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 557-7994

    $21 - $50 / night

    "The campsites are separated more widely than many other parks in Maryland (Cunningham Falls, Ft. Frederick, Pt. Lookout), and are quite secluded in comparison."

    "I was a walk-up with no reservation and since it was a weekday the ranger gave me a great rundown of the best spots in the camp and let me drive through to check them out before going back with my decision"

    3. Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina

    8 Reviews
    Abingdon, MD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 679-0880

    $70 - $90 / night

    "Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn’t but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge."

    "This is close to us so it was an easy trip. Full hookup but we’re told to turn off and unhook water the night it dropped below freezing."

    4. Merry Meadows Recreation Farm

    19 Reviews
    Freeland, MD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (410) 329-6636

    "It was a VERY dark walk to get to the bathhouse for showers. And the fire pit had no grill, so we ended up having to use the stoves of some RV camping friends for meals."

    "Large campground with some good trails.  Will definitely return!"

    5. Tucquan Park Family Campground

    12 Reviews
    Holtwood, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-2156

    "Highly recommend staying here with lots of close hiking trails within driving distance."

    "There was a lot of space so walking our dogs was great. The smaller bathroom stalls are pretty small but got the job done. Playground and pool were both nice and clean. Wonderful place for a family."

    6. Muddy Run Rec Park - PPL

    11 Reviews
    Holtwood, PA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4325

    "The large lake is great for a day of kayaking and fishing with supplies readily available for rent at the boat dock store."

    "The observatory is open to public once a month, we recommend you plan your trip around this."

    7. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Quarryville

    19 Reviews
    Quarryville, PA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 610-4505

    "We stayed here in November with beautiful weather which meant the large farm behind the campground was spraying manure over their fields. We could smell it."

    "The site was covered and it was cool around 4:30pm when the sun went behind the trees. It didn’t look like all sites had that much cover so be careful."

    8. Pequea Creek Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 284-4587

    "Covered bridges and road side shopping are close by. Enjoyed river tubing which is close by to this campground. Music bingo on Saturday night was so much fun. Owners are very nice and helpful."

    "The wife & I stayed in site 22 for three nights and bicycled 14 miles, some along the Susquehanna, on nearby Enola Low Grade Trail . "

    9. Otter Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pequea, PA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 862-3628

    "Just down the road about a mile or so was the Indian Steps Museum which is owned by York Conservation Society."

    "Its close proximity to the Susquehanna River, Otter Creek, and the Mason Dixon Trail is absolutely ideal! Sites are spacious and nice! Restrooms clean!"

    10. Codorus State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Porters Sideling, PA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (717) 637-2816

    $20 - $195 / night

    "This campground isn't too far from our home in Maryland, so if they have room and we want to go spur of the moment, this one is a good choice.  "

    "The trails from Campground are ok for a short walk, not much of a lake view but mostly shaded trail.  The pool is conveniently located maybe even walking distance for some.  "

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Recent Reviews near Forest Hill, MD

922 Reviews of 115 Forest Hill Campgrounds


  • Gennifer K.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Country Acres Campground

    Nice park

    This was a great campground. Very convenient for local sites, food, and shopping. Super clean, a large pool, and all well maintained.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Old Mill Stream Campground

    Great place to stay!

    This Campground is in the town of Lancaster, close to everything. A little complicated getting in, you need to turn in at the Cartoon Network Hotel driveway. Nice showers & friendly staff. Our site was asphalt, that was a treat, tho not all of them were...

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Brandywine Creek Campground

    Brandywine

    We are on the third week of a four week trip. Campground is well maintained, quiet. This was our home while exploring Philadelphia. Uber to Downgrown, Septa or Amtrak to town. Reverse to camp. Very enjoyable. Hickory nut tree beside camper shared at times.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    Better than OK

    Stayed for 2 days while passing through from FL to NH. Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay. Office staff did ok. Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills , not just a big open field. It’s a corporate site so automated web-based reservation system was finicky so we had to verify reservation went through. Tried to book 2 nights but system only set us up for 1. Phone call to help line easily resolved the issue. Quiet and no spotlights on all night.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Gifford Pinchot State Park Campground

    Peace and quiet !

    Great spot! We had site 114 . It has water access and is right next to a small man made beach and playground. Bathrooms were in good shape. Sites were of ample size and well spaced.


Guide to Forest Hill

Camping options near Forest Hill, Maryland span across northeastern Maryland and into southern Pennsylvania, with most locations situated within a 30-mile radius. The area's topography features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 300-600 feet above sea level, creating varied camping experiences from riverside locations to more elevated woodland settings. Winter temperatures typically drop to the 20s-30s at night, making most campgrounds seasonal operations with limited or no winter availability.

What to do

Kayaking and water access: At Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, water recreation is just steps from your campsite. "Camped here at the end of summer, really loved it. Had our kayaks with us and the water wasn't but a few steps away. Some sites you are right on the waters edge," notes Janet P. The park offers boat docks and fishing opportunities directly from waterfront sites.

Hiking near water features: Explore the trails around Pequea Creek Campground where the landscape offers creek and river views. "We enjoyed the birds singing in the mornings and welcomed grandkids' visit for splashing and floating in Pequea Creek," shares J W. The campground provides direct access to the 14-mile Enola Low Grade Trail which runs along portions of the Susquehanna River.

Wildlife viewing: The Forest Hill region offers excellent wildlife spotting opportunities, especially birds. According to Thomas K. at Susquehanna State Park, this location "primarily draws Eagle watchers and photographers." Many campgrounds have designated nature trails or wildlife viewing areas where guests can observe local fauna in their natural habitat.

What campers like

Secluded, wooded sites: Many campers praise the privacy found at Otter Creek Campground, which offers spacious sites with natural buffers. "Great family campground with plenty to do," notes George. Sean M. adds, "From the spacious sites, respectful staff and friendly seasonal campers we felt like we didn't have a care in the world."

Swimming and splash features: For families seeking water activities beyond the river, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park receives high marks for its water amenities. Aaron E. reports, "The water park was GREAT for kids and adults. Super clean. Lots to do. Well worth a week." This offers an alternative to natural swimming spots, which can be limited in the region.

Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the quality of restrooms at Codorus State Park Campground. "Paved sites, modern, clean bathrooms," notes Mike C., while another camper adds, "Campground bath houses were very clean, nice hot showers with great showerhead that stayed on without pushing a button." This attention to cleanliness stands out as a consistent positive feature.

What you should know

Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the region close completely or reduce services during winter months. Kevin M. at Codorus State Park notes, "No water but the bath house was close and very clean," which is common at parks that winterize their water systems. Operating seasons typically run from April through October.

Site selection matters: At many campgrounds, there's significant variation between sites. At Muddy Run Rec Park, Chris G. warns, "Sites in the 20's are tiny and hanging off a cliff," while another camper mentions, "We lucked out with a lot that was slightly more secluded on the end of a road, but paid for it with a very sloped lot." Researching specific site reviews before booking can prevent disappointment.

Water hookup challenges: Multiple campers mention the need for extra-long water hoses. "Bring 50 ft of hose for water hook up and an extension cord with a converter. The water hook ups are randomly placed, ours was 2 sites away," advises Chris G. at Muddy Run Rec Park. This infrastructure issue appears common at several campgrounds in the region.

Tips for camping with families

Choose activity-rich campgrounds: Families with young children often prefer places with structured activities. A camper at Tucquan Park Family Campground notes, "There were a lot of events for everyone of all ages. The sites were a little close together but still plenty of room. The pool and playground were very clean and well taken care of."

Consider age-appropriate options: Different campgrounds cater to different age groups. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, one camper advises, "We returned this year with my 12 and 14 year olds and a 12 year old friend. The kids were bored." This suggests the facilities there may better serve younger children rather than teens.

Look for playgrounds and pools: Campgrounds with good recreational amenities receive higher family ratings. At Merry Meadows Recreation Farm, Amy R. shares, "Such a wonderful campground. We have visited 5x this year. Wooded sites, open sites, tent sites. All great!" The park features miniature golf, a jump zone, and a playground, making it popular for repeat family visits.

Tips from RVers

Site access considerations: RVers should research approach roads and site angles. At Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina, Laure D. notes, "You have to drive through a residential neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor, so big rigs take care/caution." Some sites present backing challenges, as George L. explains: "Some of the trailer sites are a tough back in but worth the trouble."

Hookup placement: Electric and water hookup locations vary significantly between campgrounds and even sites. At Bar Harbor, one reviewer observed their "Water hookup access was on the ground. It was raining and the area was saturated with no where to drain." Plan for extension cords and extra-long water hoses when preparing for a trip to this region.

RV size restrictions: While many campgrounds advertise as big-rig friendly, site dimensions can be misleading. At Elk Neck State Park, a camper advises, "In the full hook up loop pay close attention to the lengths specified. The actual pads are fairly level but some of the driveways to them are very sloped. Long rigs will have issues in a few of the sites." This type of specific information is crucial for larger RVs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Forest Hill, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Forest Hill, MD is Elk Neck State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 60 reviews.